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Topic: Happy with my cordless TS 55 (Read 2346 times)

I got a cordless TS 55 a couple of months ago, but just got to use it this week. I have to admit, I'm impressed. I connected it to a CT 36 and used the Bluetooth remote to start and stop the extractor while sawing.

My son and I were making a play structure for grandkids and were making 3/4" deep laps laps in 4x4 redwood, so admittedly we were under-utilizing the saw for unusual cuts. However, it was a wonderful experience for the first time out. The cuts were smooth and clean, the saw was smooth, the depth control was perfect, and the dust extraction was amazing. We made the cuts in my shop, so I was really watching how good the dust collection was. In the past when I've used my DeWalt or Milwaukee cordless circular saws in the shop, the air quality was in the tank until my air cleaners could catch up. I expected the Festool setup to be much better, but honestly it exceeded my expectations.

We used the short guide rail with a TSO square attached to guide the cuts. I had to attach an angle to the square to handle the rounded, construction-lumber corners - the angle provided by TSO worked well. The feel when using this on a 4" wide surface was a little wobbly, in that the weight of the saw tended to torque my side of the rail down at the beginning of a cut and up at the end. Once we put a little more effort into stabilizing the rail, everything was fine.

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In general using my (regular) TS55 I've found that keeping the workpiece and rail perfectly flat and all the way supported is 90 percent of the job. If I have to cut something short or narrow I always use offcuts or extra stock of the same thickness to support the rail.

I'd been eyeballing the cordless saw for a while and finally took the plunge when they had the Thanksgiving recon sale.After using a corded 55 and 75 it's so easy pick up the cordless and cut away. It's so nice not having to drag a cord and hose around to cut sheets.I don't even bother connecting the vacuum. I just use the CT to suck the dust out of the bag when it gets full.I do notice that when the bag is about 3/4 the dust just drops out of the front of the saw, but otherwise it works awesome!

I still have a 75 but it stays in the systainer most of the time and comes out for the heavy lifting - hardwood ripping, cutting floors, etc.The cordless 55 lives on top of it's systainer under my MFT. So easy to pick it up and cut. I also noticed it powers through ply a little better than the corded 55. I cut a lot of baltic birch and the corded wasn't as smooth on the 18mm as the cordless is.

p.s. the BT add on for the CT is awesome! Even if you don't use it with any BT batteries it's nice to not have to bend over to turn on the vacuum. Plus, if you have a Kapex, you can have the saw connected on one circuit and the vacuum on another. Just don't forget to hit the vacuum on button.